Love And Hate In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

The play Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare, is a story of love and hate between the Capulet and Montague families. In the prologue, Shakespeare introduces this idea by saying, “From forth the fatal loins of these two foes a pair of star-crossed lovers take their life, whose misadventured piteous overthrows doth with their death bury their parents' strife,” (Prologue 4-7). For decades, the two households have lived in conflict. Not only do they fill the innocent minds of their children with hate, but destroy the happiness and peace of Verona with constant fighting in the streets. The children of these families are blinded by their ancestors dispute; they are unable to form their own opinion of their neighbors until, despite their blood, Romeo

She cannot decide which outcome is worse, the death of Tybalt or the death of her beloved Romeo, while debating she says, “Ah, my poor [Romeo] , what tongue shall smooth thy name, When I, thy three hours’ wife, have mangled it? But wherefore, villain, didst thou kill my cousin? That villain cousin would have killed my husband… My husband lives, that Tybalt would have slain, and Tybalt’s dead, that would have slain my husband” (3.2. 99-113). If Juliet had never met Romeo, him killing Tybalt would just be another reason for her to hate the Montagues, but now she belongs to both the Capulet and Montague families. Because of this situation she does not know how she should react to Tybalt's death; should she be grateful that it was Tybalt and not her husband or should she hate Romeo and stand by her blood family? She knows that either way she will lose someone that she loves. So the question is: what is worse, the loss of one to whom you are blood related or the loss of one your heart choose? In conclusion, the contrast between love and hate is mostly seen in Romeo and Juliet because of their forbidden love. These characters work against societal norm for their time period and despite society's demands, follow their hearts. Additionally, the characters learn that loyalty to the ones you love most, will prevail. “...for never was a story of more